It counted as one win but felt like they passed three separate tests.
In a 138-100 leveling of Sacramento on Friday to extend their road winning streak in the state capital to 15 games, the Clippers warded off another second-half malaise while receiving encouraging performances from point guard Reggie Jackson, who was in the starting lineup after being out of the rotation for a week, and forward Marcus Morris, who had endured an up-and-down start since returning from a knee injury that required nearly four months away from basketball.
Nursing an eight-point halftime lead despite forcing 10 turnovers and holding the Kings to five three-pointers, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue challenged his team to tighten its defense.